Students at Esgenoopetitsj School are using the JUMP math program this year as part of a pilot project to try to improve test scores. (CBC)
New Brunswick’s three largest First Nations communities are piloting a new approach to math in their schools, hoping to increase numeracy levels up to the provincial standard.
The Three Nations Education group says the provincial math program was not helping to close the test score gap between First Nation and non-First Nation students.
So the group has brought in the JUMP math program, which they say has proven effective in other First Nation schools across the country.
JUMP math focuses on “guided discovery” — less teaching and more doing, said Larry Flanagan, principal at Esgenoopetitsj School and resident math specialist.
It’s a more interactive way of learning, with the philosophy being that if students are engaged, they’ll excel, said Flanagan.
Larry Flanagan, the principal at Esgenoopetitsj School, says students seem more engaged with the new program. (CBC)
And so far, it seems to be working, he said.
“Students seem to be involved in the math class, seem to be enjoying it,” said Flanagan.
“I know I teach two math classes and many times they’re even amazed that math class is over. It’s gone so quickly because they’re so involved in what we’re doing,” he said.
That’s a far cry from last year when several students were exhibiting what Flanagan calls “math anxiety.”
Teacher Blake MacMillan says he has also noticed a change in the students after just the first few weeks of class.
“I think it works because you do the steps in an order and in a way that the kids can understand. So I’m having a lot of success with it,” said MacMillan.
JUMP math is a two-year pilot project.
